The Ship Model Forum

First, I want to thank all people who were posted kind comments on my post that involved the Stealth Frigate Surcouf that I built for my father (see the link below).

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=44534

I started this post to introduce you to my models and to share with you my techniques, my analysis, my issues, my thoughts and my ideas for improvements carried out on different models. My desire is to build models that are accurate in dimensions and with as much detail as possible.
As I work on several ships at the same time, there will be no post to only one specific model.

If our webmaster, Cadman, agrees, I will make an article with photos to resum my work for each model finished.

Even if my English is very poor, I'll try to explain most things, and if you wish, I will present my techniques in step by step.

The first two models are destroyer escort FNLF Tunisien and USS Frank Knox in 1945 version (Gearing class) at 1/350.
USS Buchanan 1944 version will join them soon.

For the USS Frank Knox, I first removed the different keels. I increased the V shape of the bow following the photos I found. I rebuilt the keel with plastic card and I covered with a sheet of brass.







Full details of the bridge are removed.

When I compared the model of the destroyer Escort from Trumpeter with different plans and drawings, I understood that the hull was false. So I rebuilt the hull in plastic card (white parts) with some pieces from the hull of the model (gray parts).








As for the USS Frank Knox, I rebuilt the keel of FNFL Tunisien.





Conclusion: it is the smallest model that there was more work!



Kind regards
Sebastien Lausdat
France

Please by all means proceed!

Thank you to share (surtout pour le Tunisien, merci!)

Dear Sebastien,
very nice indedd. I`m curious about your progress on your USS Frank Knox because I�m working on USS New (1/350 Dragon Gearing) in her DDE configuration around 1953:
viewtopic.php?f=59&t=45015

Nice work-- there will be plenty to learn and see here!!!

JIM B

Hello
Thank you all for your comments.
Today, I compared the model of the USS Frank Knox with the plan of USS Gearing from the book of Mr. Robert F. Sumrall. I discovered that the model was too short by 2.5 mm and that between the bow and the first turret.
So I adjusted the bow. I'll post photos tomorrow.
I am looking for any information on the dimensions of the sonar QGA ( in millimeter, please) and details of the hull below the waterline of the Gearing class.
Finally, I also research all information on the dimensions of the sonar GCS-1 installed on Cannon class.
Any help is welcome.
Kind regards
Sebastien Lausdat
France

Hello
As promised pictures of the bow corrected of USS Franck Knox.





The bilge keels were rebuilt with a sheet of brass.



I work on the propeller shafts of FNFL Tunisien, USS Frank Knox and USS Buchanan.
I am always looking for information on the propeller shafts and sonars.
Kind regards
Sebastien Lausdat
France

Fantastic modelling... thank You very much Mr. Lausdat,as Jim said,a lot to learn,and without a question,from a great master.
Merci

Hello everyone
Thank you again for your comments and your encouragements.
I made the rudders of FNFL Tunisien and their rudder heads.







Then, with great difficulty because of my lack of documentation, I built the QCS-1 sonar (length 3 mm, diameter 1.5 mm) and his sea chest...





And the fairwater (length 5mm).







It's really tiny!

I started to draw the shaft brackets for FNFL Tunisien and the USS Frank Knox. In fact I want to make them (in brass turned). I also expected to make the shaft brackets for the USS Buchanan, Class Fletcher and the masts for D.E., USS Frank Knox, USS Buchanan and class Fletcher.
The 3D design of parts for FNFL Tunisien. The propeller is next to the piece 1 (in red).



The 3D design of parts for USS Franck Knox. The propeller is next to the piece 1 (in red).



If anyone can confirm if the design for FNFL Tunisien is correct because I did not find any precise documentation.
I discovered that the propeller shafts of D.E., ships of Gearing class, ships of Sumner class and ships of Fletcher class were not symmetrical.
I am looking for information on the keel and the propeller shafts of USS Buchanan (plans and photos).
All supports, comments and questions are welcome.
Kind regards
Sebastien Lausdat
France

P.S. : I would like to thank my friend Loic Blouin for his help concerning FNFL Tunisien.

And again sorry for my poor English.

Hi Sebastien,

very clean and sharp work. It is very interesting to follow your buildup!

Hello
A small update on Destroyer Escort FNFL Tunisien.
I drilled all the holes under the waterline.



I began details starboard breakwater and channels water discharge deck. The element copper is 0.1 mm thick and is one piece of the bow and stern.









If some people are interested I can explain my technique in step by step.
Kind regards
Sebastien Lausdat
France

Yes please!!

I certainly would very interested in seeing how you are working with the copper.-it looks very sharp, clean and neat

Do you not suffer any differential temperature expansion co-efficients between the dissimilar materials- ie plastic/metal?

once painted-- in differing temperatures--do you not suffer from hairline cracks wehn you have metal and plastic combined?


Very interested!

JIM B

Hello Jim
Thanks for your words.
I've never had a problem sticking to plastic and copper. I use the Cyanoacrylate glue. Copper is a material that is flexible and easy to work. Jim, you've seen my model of USS Kidd (Fletcher class) in Telford. The superstructure is constructed of copper sheets reinforce plastic profiles (Profile Evergreen). The model was never damaged.
To paste the little parts properly (except the plastic parts), I use the "Tamiya cement" (white cap) that I diluted with "Tamiya extra thin cement" (green cap).
Have a got weekend in Telford.
Kind regards
Sebastien Lausdat
France

Dear Sebastien,

mmhh, it seems to me there are some drain channesl on port and starbord? Can you show us this in detail please.

TIA

Hello Christian
I have not built the port side. I tried to make better pictures tomorrow. I think to present my method step by step with lots of pictures . The presentation is based on USS Frank Knox or USS Buchanan.
Kind regards
Sebastien Lausdat
France

Hello
Like, here are new pictures of the details. It was not easy to photograph because it is very small. To give you an idea of the size, I placed a coin of 1 cent of Euro, It's even smaller than 5 U.S. cents.













Have a good weekend
Sebastien Lausdat
France

Excellent work! Is that bulkhead on the side soldered or glued?

Hello EJFoeth
Thank for yours words.
In fact, the bulkhead and the strip of copper sheet are one piece and which extends from stem to stern. The piece is glued on the plastic with glue cyanocrilate.
Kind regards
Sebastien Lausdat

P.S. : When can you expect the next update on your fantastic Hood.

Ah, hard at work on the etch set (nearly done) and some practice runs with the lathe... but I put up a non-model related update on HMS Hood here.